First Nations’ Right to Vote in Canada

First Nations peoples in Canada were denied the right to vote until 1960. Initially, the federal government, under the Indian Act, governed First Nations without their input, believing they were incapable of making decisions. To vote, many had to give up their Indian status through enfranchisement, a process that forced them to abandon their culture and traditions. Although some First Nations people gained the right to vote through military service in the World Wars, full voting rights were not granted until 1960, when the federal government changed the law. Over the years, policies shifted from forced assimilation to integration. While First Nations now have the right to vote unconditionally, voter turnout among First Nations on reserves has been lower than the general population. Opinions on voting vary, with some viewing it as essential for participating in democracy, while others see it as conflicting with self-government principles.